Our Story
The story behind the Central Coat Lobster Co. is a good blend — of upbringing, legacy, timing, and even a famous movie director.
As a young girl, Ines fell in love with making delicious food. Later, she discovered she loved the fast-paced rush of serving others just as much.
Central Coast Lobster Co. started with a story that began far from the coast.
Ines Chiarello was born in New Jersey, where she first fell in love with food through the smells coming out of her best friend’s kitchen. Her friend’s dad was a country club chef, and to Ines, that kitchen felt like magic — full of things she didn’t know yet, but somehow already loved.
That love took her to The Culinary Institute of America, then through kitchens in Miami, New Orleans, and eventually Napa Valley. It was in New Orleans where the boil really got into her bones — seafood, spice, newspaper-covered tables, cold drinks, and the kind of meal that brings everybody close.
Years later, while working at Keller’s Market in Napa, Ines got a request for a classic low country crawfish boil at a private home. Crawfish wasn’t available, so lobster stepped in. What could have been a problem turned into the whole idea.
Ines’ boils were more than just a good time, they did good, too — helping feed fire fighters throughout fire seasons in Napa Valley.
The lobster boil was a hit. Word spread through wine country. Wineries started calling. Private events turned into bigger events. A small crew became a real team. Before long, Ines was hosting hundreds of boils a year, serving thousands of people and more lobsters than anyone could count.
Then COVID hit, and like so many things in hospitality, the boils came to a stop.
Around that time, Ines had become friends with Ben and Ali Koenig through their Napa restaurant, Heritage Eats. They bonded over food, service, family, and their shared New Jersey roots. When Ines was ready to walk away from the boil business, Ben, Ali, and Charles saw something too special to let disappear.
Together, they brought the boil back.
Bringin’ Back the Boil
Ben and Ali Koenig have ran family-owned Heritage Eats in Napa for nearly six years, and were drawn to how Ines matched their love and passion for serving the community.
Together, they brought the boil back.
Napa Valley Lobster Co. was born from that friendship — carrying forward Ines’ legacy and bringing fresh Maine lobster, New Orleans seasoning, and Napa hospitality to backyards, wineries, and celebrations all over Northern California.
And now, the story is moving again.
After years of boiling in wine country, we’re bringing that same spirit to the Central Coast — a place built for long tables, ocean air, backyard parties, vineyard views, ranch land, beach towns, and people who know how to gather.
Central Coast Lobster Co. is the next chapter of the same story. Still rooted in Ines’ original boil. Still built by family and friends. Still about rolling up your sleeves, cracking lobster, passing potatoes and corn, and making a beautiful mess with people you love.
It started in Napa Valley.
Now we’re bringing the boil to the Central Coast.